Wolverhampton yob locked up over string of canal towpath attacks
A teenager behind a spate of attacks along canal towpaths that a court heard struck "fear into the public" has been put behind bars for 12 months.
Jordan Munroe can today be named for the first time as being responsible for seven attacks spanning over a week in Wolverhampton after magistrates lifted reporting restrictions.
The 15-year-old, who has been sent to a young offenders institution, was also given a two-year Criminal Anti-social Behaviour Order (CRASBO).
A 14-year-old boy, who was responsible for three assaults but cannot be named, was also made subject to a two-year CRASBO. The conditions ban both teenagers from entering canal towpaths around the city.
Munroe had admitted a string of four assaults, including pushing two pensioners into the water. He admitted causing actual bodily harm to another victim, who suffered a broken knee cap, after he was pushed into the canal water while cycling.
Defendant Munroe was also found guilty of stealing a £408.60 pair of glasses from Michael Nickholds as he ate his lunch and racially abusing Elvey O'Brien. All of the attacks happened between September 12 and 19 on the Birmingham Canal towpath.
Victim 71-year-old Christopher Fitzgerald was cycling when he described being kicked off his bike into the water.
The group offered Mr Fitzgerald help to climb out of the water but as he came close to the canalside, he was kicked in the chest.
Miss Jo Taylor, prosecuting, also read out a statement from another victim, retired Bernard Brennan, who suffered bronchitis, and who said he feared he 'wouldn't get out of the water and would die' after he was pushed in while cycling seven days later.
Miss Taylor added: "People go to the canal for a breath of fresh air, solitude and nice scenery. But they caused fear and disruption. They put fear in the public at large."
Chairman of the bench Dennis Davies allowed the press to name Munroe because of the number of people affected by his actions. The 14-year-old boy had been given a 12-month referral order and ordered to pay £750 compensation to his three victims and was given a CRASBO yesterday.
